Switch for automatic safety locking devices and systems



p 8, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY 2,690,481

SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Filed March 25,1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 28, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY SWITCH FOR AUTOMATICSAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1949n nun/ ylllllllllllllllll I/I/l/IIlI/IIII/I/I/ll/lIl/InIII/lIll/l/IIIIII/Ill/II/ll/ 4 Sept. 28, 1954 J. F.COURTNEY SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FiledMarch 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 fMMZiZ Sept 8, 1954 J. F. COURTNEY2,690,481

SWITCH FOR AUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS Filed March 25,1949 4 SheetsHSheet 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1954 uirso srrs SWITCH FORAUTOMATIC SAFETY LOCKING DEVICES AND SYSTEBIS Joseph F. Courtney, OakPark, Ill.; Helen E. Courtney, executrix of said Joseph F. Courtney,

deceased 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to automatic safety locking devices andsystems, and is particularly concerned with such electrical systems anddevices which may be employed for overriding the operation of anyordinary locking system of automotive vehicle doors to prevent theunauthorized entry from the outside or the unauthorized opening of thedoors from the inside.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedelectrical locking system and locking devices which may be controlled bythe operator of an automotive vehicle to prevent the unauthorized entryinto the vehicle of any persons from the outside, such as holdup men,and which is also adapted to prevent children from unlocking and openingthe doors from the inside, which has in the past resulted in manychildren falling out of automobiles while in motion, resulting in theirserious injury.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedautomatic interlocking safety device which may be used to lock or unlockdoors or other devices by remote control by means of a single remoteswitch button, which is to be actuated by the operator at will.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved electricallocking systems and devices which are of general application and may beused as a means of safety for interlocking remotely controlledelectrical devices, machinery operations, truck doors, windows, gates,aircraft controls, etc.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems andlocking devices which may be operated to control one or more sets ofdoors at the option of the operator, and which is also provided with akey tumbler lock to make the system inoperative by unauthorized persons,such as garage and parking lot attendants.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems anddevices of the class described, which are simple, capable of economicalmanufacture with a minimum number of machine operations, permanently andautomatically lubricated, sturdy, capable of easy installation,permanently enclosed and protected from unauthorized tampering and fromthe entry of dust, and which are adapted to be used for a long period oftime without necessity for repair or replacement of any of their parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved systems anddevices of the class described, which are provided with indicators forindicating whether they are looking or unlocking, and which are soconstructed that rattling is prevented and the moving parts of thedevice are held in their actuated position and will not be moved byordinary vibration or shock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved lockingunit which utilizes a minimum amount of current, being actuated by amomentary impulse, and which is so constructed that the locking elementwill not be damaged by the closure of the door when the locking elementis in the locked position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the four sheets of drawings accompanying the specification,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic sectional view of the electrical system,showing the latching arrangements in connection with the door in crosssection, and including a wiring diagram for such an electrical system;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of a foot actuated switch used in thesystem;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the switch of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 4 t of Fig.2, showing details of construction of the switch;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the line5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the rotatable switchmember in end elevation on the plane of the line 6-8 of Fig. 4, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, showing the ratchet Wheel inelevation, and taken on the plane of the line 'il of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line8-8 of Fig. 3, showing the details of construction of the housing,switch, actuating plunger, and the pawl;

Fig. 9 is an end elevational view of the solenoid controlled latchingunit which forms part of Fi 1;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view on the plane of the line i0liiof Fig. 9, showing the details of construction of the solenoidcontrolled latching unit;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the upper end of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view, taken on the plane or" the line !2i2 ofFig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view, taken on the plane 3 of the line l3-l3 ofFig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line l4-l4 ofFig. 10, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a view in perspective of the latching member;

Fig. 16 is a view in perspective of the pivot bracket for the latchingmember of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an elevational view of the keeper.

Referring to Figure 1, this is a diagrammatic illustration of the wiringcircuit and devices which make up the improved safety locking systemembodying the invention. 20 indicates a solenoid controlled locking unitprovided with a movable latching member 2|, and shown in connection withan automotive vehicle body frame 22 and door 23.

The present devices may be installed with the keeper 24 on the frame oron the door, the locking unit 20 being installed on the opposite membercomprising the door or frame. For the purpose of illustration, the frame22 has its edge adjacent the door provided with a circular aperture 25for receiving the locking unit, the attaching flange 26 of which issecured to the frame by a plurality of self-tapping screw bolts 26.

The door 23 has its adjacent edge provided with an aperture 21, whichmay be round for ease in boring with ordinary tools, this aperture beingcovered by a keeper or striker plate 24, which has an elongated slot 28for receiving the elongated latehing member 2 I.

The keeper 24 is secured in place by a plurality of self-tapping screwbolts 29, which pass through apertures in the keeper and are threadedinto the edge wall of the door. The locking unit 20 preferably includesa pair of solenoid coils 30, ill, Figure 10, the common terminals ofboth coils being grounded, as will be further described, and the otherterminals being connected to the conductors 32, 33 of the wiringdiagram, Figure l.

The present system may be embodied in a grounded system which employsthe frame as one of the conductors, or it may be embodied in acompletely wired system, in which case an extra wire would be usedinstead of the ground. As illustrated, the system is energized by meansof a battery 33, one terminal of which is connected to ground at 34 andthe other terminal of which is connected to a conductor 35, whichincludes a line fuse 36 in series.

From the line fuse 36 the conductor 31 extends through a key-actuatedtumbler barrel switch 38, so that the entire system may be madeinoperative by turning and removing the key 39 to prevent itsunauthorized use by garage and station attendants, or children in thefront seat. When thus locked, by means of the key switch 38, the circuitis broken at this switch and the locking unit 20 will be maintained inthe unlocked or locked condition, whichever the case may be at the time.

This is an important safety feature as it prevents the inadvertentactuation of the controlling switch until the operator uses the key, andif anyone should step upon the actuating switch it will not unlock thedoor as long as the switch 38 is on open circuit.

From the switch 38 a series conductor 40 extends to the two fixedcontacts 4|, 42, carried by a switch housing and forming a part of thecontrolling switch, these contacts being joined together so that bothare energized.

The controlling switch which is indicated in its entirety by the numeral43, includes a rotatable switch member 44 which has a movable contactmember 45, with a plurality of arms 66, 47, 48 adapted to serve asbridging contact members for the momentary closure of the circuit.

The switch housing also supports a pair of fixed contact members 49, 50,which are connected to the coils of the locking unit 20 for controllingthe locking unit. Conductor 5| extends from contact 49 to conductor 33which leads to one of the coils. Conductor 52 extends to the otherconductor 32 leading to the other coil terminal.

In order to indicate the momentary energization of the locking unit 20,the conductors 5i and 52 are extended and connected to the two signallights 53, 54, one of which is preferably green and the other of whichis red. The other terminals of these signal lights are connected byconductors 55 and 56 to ground.

Thus the green light may be used to indicate the locking of the lockingunit, indicating a condition of safety, and the red light may be used toindicate the act of unlocking the locking unit 20, indicating acondition of danger.

The rotary switch unit 44 is provided with detent means for holding itin its fixed positions intermediate all of the fixed contacts, such asthe position illustrated in Figure 1, where all of the circuits areopen. This is the condition which preferably exists at all times exceptwhen the switch is being actuated, so that the present device utilizes aminimum amount of electrical energy and does not impose a severe drainon the batteries, as is the case with some of the devices of the priorart. The same is true of the signal lights which are turned on onlymomentarily when the switch is being actuated from one position toanother.

The rotatable switch member 44 is provided with an operative connection5'! with a ratchet wheel 58, this being indicated by the dotted line inFigure 1. The ratchet wheel is adapted to be actuated step by step bymeans of a slidably mounted plunger 59, further to be described, andprovided with a pawl 68, all of which is shown diagrammatically in Fig.1.

At each actuation of the plunger 59 the ratchet wheel 58 is stepped onestep in a clockwise direction, carrying with it the rotatable switchmember 44, which causes one of the contact arms 4648 to momentarilyestablish a bridging connection between the fixed contacts 4|, 42, andone of the other fixed contacts 49 and 50. The contact engagement ismomentary because the rotatable switch member 44 only establishes acircuit while wiping over the contacts, and immediately moves on toanother inoperative position in which it is positioned sixty degreesfrom the position shown in Fig. 1.

The extended lines 5| and 52 of the conductors in the diagram indicatethat this circuit may include a multiplicity of the locking devices 20and signal lights, such as, for example, a locking device on both frontdoors. It may also include a pair of locking devices for both back doorswith a separate controlling switch 43, and all of the doors may becontrolled by one switch and four locking units.

The switch or switches are preferably placed on the floor at someposition remote from the usual dimmer switch, such as, for example,between the brake and clutch pedals, where it can be actuated by the toeof the right foot. If two switches are used, they are preferably placedside by side.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 8, these are illustrations of the structure and.arrangement of the step-by-step controlling switch preferably employed.The switch may include a supporting plate 6!, which supports a box-likeswitch housing 62 to which it is secured at the attaching flanges 63 bymeans of a plurality of eyelet rivets 64. The eyelet rivets are alsoused for passing screw bolts which secure the switch to the floor.

The face plate 6i of the switch has a through bore 65, Figure 8, forpassing the reciprocating plunger 59, which carries the ratchet wheelactuator 69 at its inner end. This ratchet wheel actuator comprises anangular metal plate having a guide flange 68 and an attaching flange6-7. The attaching flange 6'! has a through bore 68 which receives thereduced end. 69 of plunger 59, the plunger being riveted over at Hi tosecure the plunger and ratchet actuator 60' together.

The guide flange 66 is preferably rectangular in shape, having a slidingfit against the bottom ll of the housing 62, and it is guided by thesides l2, 13 of the housing. The guide flange 66 has a longitudinallyextending slot 14 which may slide on the opposite sides of a circularportion 715 of the stub shaft 16. The end of the stub shaft 18 passesthrough the bottom wall H and is riveted over at H.

The guide flange 66 preferably has a punched finger or tab l8 punchedout of its body at a suitable distance from the shaft 16 and extendingdiagonally upward out of the body of the flange 66. The end 19 of thetab constitutes the actuating shoulder of a pawl comprising the tab 18,and the sloping surface 8B of this tab constitutes a camming surfacewhich cams the ratchet wheel 58 axially on the shaft '16 to pass theratchet wheel shoulder on the return movement to the left.

The actuating plunger 59 is preferably surrounded by a metal tube Blwhich has a pair of integral elongated fingers 82 on its right end,Figure 8, passing through slotted apertures 83, and bent outwardly tosecure the tube 8| to the face plate 6!. The open end of the tube BI isclosed by means of a telescoping cap 84, which has an easy sliding fiton the tube BI and has its end wall 85 fixedly secured to the plunger59.

For this purpose the plunger 59- may have a reduced portion 86 whichpasses through an aperture in the end wall 85 of the cap 84, thisreduced portion being riveted over at $1 in a pressed recess in the topof the cap. A helical compression spring 88 preferably surrounds theplunger 59 and engages the inside of the cap 84 at one end and. theoutside of the face plate til at the other end.

Thus the spring 88 constantly urges the telescoping cap 8 5 intoextended position, the plunger 59 carrying with it the ratchet actuator6t which is normally held in the position of Figure 8. The ratchet wheel58 preferably comprises a metal disc provided with a central aperture 89for receiving stub shaft 16, and with a plurality of radially extendingintegral arms lli-95, each of which has a fiat portion 9a on itstrailing side, the edge 91 of which serves as a ratchet wheel abutmentfor engagement with the end '19 of the pawl 18.

The leading portion 98 of each arm on the ratchet wheel is bent upwardlyat an obtuse angle along the radial line 99,. so that its lower surfacemay serve as a cam for riding over the pawl 18 as the pawl movesbackward to the position of Figure 8-. During this backward movement theratchet wheel 58 must be moved bodily in an axial direction on the shaftIt against the pressure of spring I06, Figure l, in order to let thepawl pass the arm of the ratchet wheel which it has just actuated.

In order to connect the ratchet wheel to the rotatable switch member 43,the ratchet wheel preferably has a plurality of axially extendingrectangular tabs H] I, these being located between the axially spacedarms. Three such tabs are sufiicient, and they are located betweenalternate arms. The tabs lill engage in peripheral slots in the baseplate 162 of the connecting member I03, Figure 4, which is preferably inthe form of a spider to permit an adequate length of the spring I011.

The spider N13 has a hexagonal base plate,

three of the sides being wider and provided with axially extendingflanges ltd. The narrow sides have the peripheral slots 505. The flangesHi4 extend in an axial direction and are long enough to extend from theratchet wheel 58 to the rotary switch member 43, the latter beingprovided with rectangular apertures or slots to receive the ends I06 ofthe flanges Iii i.

Thus the spider Hi3 constitutes a connecting member or drive between theratchet wheel 55 and the rotary switch member 43 which is mounted on thesame shaft. The rotary switch member 43 preferably comprises a disc ofinsulating material, such as insulating fiber re-enforced with fabrichaving a central aperture H)? for receiving the stub shaft it.

The length of the spring use, which surrounds the shaft i6, is such thatit is already initially compressed when the rotary switch disc is placedon the shaft; and the rotary switch disc 43 may be moved axially againstthe spring I06 on shaft 16 to permit the rotary switch member to slideover its detents indicated at H18. During this sliding motion the endstilt of the spider ms slide in. the apertures H39 in the disc 53.

The rotary switch disc 43 is provided, with a plurality of apertures He,each of which is countersunk at H! to form a detaining shoulder whichcan be held by the ball-shaped detents I08, but which can also camitself off the detent by rising axially of the shaft 76 as the disc isrotated.

The apertures Ilil are arranged in a circle about the center of the disc13. The rotary switch member 43 also carries the movable contact member45 which has the three radially extending contact arms it-48, and thiscontact member may be secured in place by having the ends of the armsbent over at H2 in peripheral slots I 53, these ends bein bentbackwardly to U-shape on the other side of the disc 53.

The movable contact member t5 has a centrally located aperture H5, whichhas a clearance with respect to the shaft "Fe and with respect to thebearing bore it? in the disc 43. The connector plate H5, Figure 4, mayconsist of a rectangle of insulating material which is provided on itsopposite sides adjacent each corner with angular cuts or recesses litfor receiving the securing flanges H! which project axially from thehousing walls l2, l3, and which can be bent over on the outside of theconnector plate H5 to hold it in fixed position in or on the end of thehousing 62.

The connector plate H5 has a plurality of through rivets N8, the innerends of which have the partly spherical heads 188 which serve as 7 theball detents for engaging in the countersunk holes H0. These rivets andtheir ball heads are located in a circle and may also serve as the fixedcontacts already indicated at 49, 50, 4|, 42.

The same rivets may be used for securing connectors IISJ, I20, I2I tothe plate II5, as shown in Figure 2, and the connector I I9 may formthat part which joins the two contacts 4I and 42, being the two commonenergized contacts of Figure 1. The connectors I20 and I2I correspond tothe contacts 49 and 50; each of these connectors is provided with ascrew threaded bore and a screw bolt I22 for securin a wire conductor toit.

Referring to Figure 5, I23, I24 indicate integral inwardly projectingbosses on the plate II5 flush with the surface of the rotary switch disc43, when it is in the position of Figure 4, so as to prevent as far aspossible the tilting of the disc which might take place in the absenceof such lugs.

The operation of the switch is as follows:

The normal position of the rotary switch member 43 is with a pluralityof its countersunk apertures I It engaging about the spherical detentheads I38, in which position the rivets IIB are spaced from any of themovable contact arms 4643.

When the operator steps upon the cap 84, compressing spring 88, theratchet actuator 60 slides to the right, in Figure 8, and the pawl 78engages with its end E9 the edge 91 of one of the ratchet arms 83,Figure 7. The rotatin force is sufficient to cam the countersunksurfaces of the holes IIiI over the ball-shaped detents I03, the rotaryswitch disc 43 being permitted to move to the left in Figure 4 by springI30, but being maintained always in contact with the rivet heads I08.

As the switch disc 43 is released by the detents I08, it moves with asnapping action in a rotary direction until its apertures I I6 againreceive the next ball detents I08 which all register with the aperturesat the same time. In the course of this movement from one detent toanother, the switch arms 46-48 momentarily pass over the contacts 4|,42, and either the contact 49 or 50 and the switch again comes to restin a position in which the movable contact 45 with three arms isinsulated from the fixed contacts.

The motion of the switch takes place during movement of the ratchetwheel actuator 60 toward the right in Figure 8, and when the operatorhas pushed the cap 34 down and removes his foot, the spring 38 moves thecap again to the left, as in Figure 8, withdrawing the ratchet wheelactuator 63.

Durin this motion the pawl 80 slides under the upwardly turned diagonalportion 98 of the adjacent ratchet wheel arm. The ratchet wheel is heldfixed by its connection through the spider I03 to the switch disc 43,which is held against ro tation by its detents I08.

The pawl then passes backward to the left under the ratchet wheel arm,while the ratchet wheel is permitted to move axially toward the right inFigure 4, to permit this motion or the pawl, until the pawl againresumes the position of Figure 7 with its end behind the next ratchetwheel arm. Thus the switch plunger is adapted to move the rotary switchmember step by step, first closing a circuit through contact 49, Figure1, and upon the next depression of the plunger closing the circuitthrough the contact 58 of Figure 1. Current is only utilized momentarilyafter the switch moves to open circuit position again.

Referring to Figures 9 to 17, these are views showing the structure ofthe electrically actuated locking unit 20. This unit preferablycomprises a drawn sheet metal housing member I25, the outer wall ofwhich is substantially cylindrical and provided with a cylindrical boreI26. This housing member has one closed end wall I21, and at its openend is provided with a radially extending attaching flange I 28.

The housing member is preferably made of paramagnetic material, such assoft steel or iron, as it forms the external part of the magneticcircuit of the solenoid which it encloses. The solenoid comprises a pairof solenoid coils 30 and 3! of insulated wire of suitable size andresistance; and these coils are preferably wound upon a tube I2 9 ofnonmagnetic metal, such as brass.

The tube I29 is preferably insulated from the wire, which may be of theenameled type, by a sleeve I30 of insulation, such as a paper tube orwrapping; and the tube supports spool flanges I3I, I32 at each of itsends, where they are secured against sliding off by havin the ends ofthe tube spun over at I33.

Intermediate the ends of the tube there is a soft iron washer I34, whichhas an aperture I35 having a frictional fit on the tube, and the size ofthe washer is such as to provide a sliding fit in the bore I26 ofhousing I25.

The soft iron washer I34 provides an intermediate portion of themagnetic circuit which is alternately used by one or the other of thesolenoid coils. On each side of the soft iron washer I34 there ispreferably located a fiber washer I36 for keeping the spool formation.

The turns of wire which form the coils 30, 3I are preferably soproportioned that they may be energized with a suitable amount ofcurrent by a 6-volt battery when used for automotive purposes, but theymay be proportioned for any suitable voltage.

One common end of each coil is brought out adjacent the fiber washer I36and these coil terminals indicated at I31 are brought longitudinally ofthe assembly through suitable slots I33 in the washers I34, I36 and I3I,so that these conductors may be connected to a connector I38 locatedoutside the end spool washer I3I and engaging the end I21 of the housingto constitute a ground connection.

Connector I39 comprises a strip of conducting metal having a centralcircular portion I40 which surrounds the screw bolt I4 I, Figure 10, bymeans of which it is clamped against the end I21 of the housing.

The other two terminals of the two coils 30, 3I also extendlongitudinally of the coils through suitable slots in the washer, asindicated by the conductor I42, I43, Figure 12, and they may passthrough tubular rivets I44 in the connector plate I45, where they aresecured at their outer ends by a drop of solder I46. These tubularrivets also serve to secure to the end of the assembly or to theconnector plate I45, a pair of connector members I4I, which may besubstantially similar to the connectors previously described.

The connectors I4! have transversely bent fingers I41 which extend intosockets in the connector plate I45 (Figure 10) to prevent the connectorsfrom turning on the rivets I46.

The connector plate I45 comprises a disc of insulating material which issecured to the end of the housing I25 by a pair of rivets I48. Thisinsulating plate also has a central aperture I49 for passing the screwbolt I4I, which may be used to connect this unit to the frame of thevehicle to complete the ground.

The screw bolt MI is preferably of the type having a fillister head I56,which is located in a counterbore II in a plug of paramagnetic metalI52. This plug is cylindrical and fills the end of the brass tube I29,and the bolt MI passes through a bore I53 and through an aperture in theend wall I21; and is provided with a pair of nuts, the first one ofwhich clamps the plug against the bottom of the housing which assures agood contact with the ground connector I46, and with the second nutserves to secure a ground conductor to the unit.

The fillister head slightly from the inner end of the plug I52. andconstitutes a stop for the end of the plunger armature E54. Sticking ofthe armature against the plug or bolt may be avoided by using a brassbolt which keeps the armature I54 from engaging the magnetic plug I52.

The plunger armature I54 is preferably of such length that it extendsonly partially into one coil when it has been drawn into the other coil,and the plugs are of such length that they prevent the armature frombeing drawn into centered position midway between the ends of eithercoil. Thus the armature has a limited movement but it is subject to apowerful pull because it is always partly outside the coil which isacting upon it.

The central washers was, I66 and the end washer IZI are preferablyprovided with peripheral slots I55, which are aligned with each otherfor passing an integral inwardly extending protuberance I56, whichextends longitudinally of the housing, is narrow enough to be passed bythe slots I55 and long enough to be engaged by both the washers I36.This projection 56 on the inside of the housing serves to preventrotation of the coil assembly and spools inside the housing.

At its open end the housing I is preferably provided with another coveror closure washer E5? of paramagnetic metal for completing the magneticcircuit at this end of the coils 30. This magnetic disc has a centralaperture I58 which receives the reduced end 559 of a paramagnetic plugI66 of cylindrical shape for filling this end of the tube I26 andlimiting the range of movement of the armature i5 1.

Plug I66 has a through bore I6l for passing the connecting rod I62, theend of which has a pressed frictional fit in a bore I63 in the armatureI54. A washer of brass I64 may be secured on the end of the armature I54, by a shoulder on the connecting rod I62, and this washer preventssticking between the plug I60 and armature I54 which might be caused byresidual magnetism. Connecting rod I62 is made of nonmagnetic metal.

The connecting rod I62 is surrounded by a lubricant impregnated feltwasher I65, which is secured to the outside of the end wall I51 by asuitable adhesive cement. Thus the connecting rod I62 is constantlylubricated; and the ingress of dust, etc., is prevented.

The end wall I51 also supports a pivot bracket I66, Figure 16, for thelatching member 2I. This pivot bracket may consist of a U-shaped memberof nonmagnetic metal bent to substantially rectangular form, the fiatyoke of which has an aperture I6! for receiving the rivet I68, by meansof which it is secured to the end plate I51.

A resilient detent member, indicated at I69, also has its attachingflange I 70 clamped bel56 preferably projects ing attaching flangeI'Ill. Its two resilient parallel legs Hi are each formed with a presseddimple I12, which may also be described as a pressed partially sphericalprojection on their inner sides.

The latching member 25 has a pair of partially spherical depressions orsockets Eli; on each side, these sockets being adapted to receive thespherical projection H2. The resilient legs of this de- Y member 2: andtend to engage in the sec 'ets H3. One pair of sockets is located sothat the detent member I69 holds the latching member 2! in its latchedposition; and the other pair of sockets is arranged to hold the latchingmember 2? in its withdrawn position.

The pivot bracket I66 has its two legs ii i provided with alignedapertures lid for receiving a pivot pin lit, which has a floating fit inthe apertures H5. This pivot pin also passes through the apertures i'i'iin the pivot flanges 5'36 of the latching member 2|, which is pivotallymounted on pin between the legs of the bracket 5 66.

sc pivot pin H6 floats in its bearings but is prevented from movinglongitudinally out of its bearings by its ends engaging the cover I19,which has a cup-shape formation, the side walls E66 of which limitlongitudinal movement of the pin iit. The bracket i66 preferably haslongi-' tudinally extending rivet lugs I 35 (Figure 16), which passthrough apertures in the cove 76 and are riveted over at #62 (Figure10).

The cover H9 also has a radially extending attaching flange I63, whichengages the attaching flange 26 on the housing, and the cover mayinclude a cylindrical rim Hi l which engages the edge of the attachingflange :23. The cover H9 is preferably permanently secured on thehousing to prevent tampering by a plurality of riveted eyelets 265, theroles of which serve for passing the screw bolts 26 which secure thelatching unit 26 when it is installed.

The latching member ZI is preferably made of suitable sheet metal, suchas brass, a piece of which is bent to substantially U-shape with twoparallel flanges I66, iii'l. These flanges preferably extend atsubstantially right angles to the yoke ice which may be fiat, and thebends at I89 are easy bends at substantially right angles.

At the smaller end of the flanges :86, till, the pivot flanges I '58project longitudinally and serve to provide for the pivotal support ofthe latch 2 I. These pivot flanges are partially circular but are joinedby a neck portion I96 of reduced width so that this portion will notinterfere with the pivotal movement of the latch, room being providedfor a felt lubrica'tor WI.

The parallel flanges have the partially spherical sockets Hi3 previouslydescribed for the spring detent I66, and they are provided with thealigned bearing apertures I92 for receiving the pivot pin i63, Figure10, by means of which the latching member 2i is connected to theconnecting rod I62.

Connecting rod I62 preferably has a reduced flattened portion 494 whichis received between the parallel flanges I86, E6? of the latching member2 I, but also permits room for a pair of lubricant impregnated feltwashers M5.

The pivot pin I63 may consist of a rivet passing through the connectingrod 162 and the two parallel flanges I66, I 81. The pivot pin H6 is alsopreferably lubricated by carrying a pair of lubricant impregnated feltwashers I96 inside the legs I14 of the bracket I86 on each side of thelatching member. A thin spring washer I91, be-

tween the felt washers I96 and the pivot flanges I18, serve to preventrattling and keep the felt Washers in tight engagement with the adjacentsurfaces.

At its larger or left end the latching member 2 I, Figure 15, has itsyoke I88 provided with an integral closure flange I98, which is bentdownward to provide an end abutment for the latch which engages thekeeper, and is indicated by the numeral 24 in Figure 1. This flange I98preferably extends at right angles to a radius drawn from the axis ofpivot of the latch 2 I; and its end portions I99 and 208 are at the sameradial distance from the axis.

The cover I19 has its end provided with a rectangular opening 28I forpassing the latch 2I, and this cover carries on its inner side a feltwasher I9I impregnated with lubricant, and also having a slightlysmaller rectangular aperture 202 so that the felt wipes against the endflange 598 and the two side flanges I86, I81 of the latch to maintain asubstantial closure.

The center parallel flanges I86, I81 may also be provided withlongitudinally extending stop lugs 203 at the larger or left end, thesurface 294 of these lugs engaging the inside of the felt washer I91 tolimit the outward pivotal movement of the latch 2I.

The inward movement of the latch 2I is limited by the engagement of theplunger armature I54 with the fillister head I58 of bolt MI, and in thisposition the yoke I88 of the latch 21 is substantially r'iush with theoutside of cover [1-9.

The operation of the locking unit 28 is as follows:

When neither coil is energized the latching member 2| is held in theprojected position of Figure l or Figure by the spring detent I59, theprojections of which engage in the innermost sockets I13. Likewise whenthe latch 21 is retracted it is held in that position by the detent I89.

The present device utilizes no current when it is locked or unlocked,but only utilizes current momentarily during the looking or unlockingaction, when it also gives a signal of the character of its action. Whenthe coil 3| is energized the armature I54 is pulled into the coil 35 bythe fiux generated, which completes its magnetic field through thehousing I25, end wall 21 and soft, iron washer I34.

The flux also passes through the armature and tends to draw the armatureinto a position in which the armature is drawn into the coil, and wouldcontinue to draw the armature inward until the armature extended fromend to end of the coi1 were it not for the plug I52.

The force exerted upon the armature diminishes as the armature passesinto the coil, and this force is at a maximum in the present devicebecause of the limited movement of the armature, and because thearmature is kept from entering entirely into the coil.

Upward movement of the armature I54 pulls the latching member 2I intothe cover I19. In so doing it is opposed by the spring detents I39which, however, being spherical are cammed out of their sockets I13 sothat they ride on the side of the latch until they snap into the othersockets I13, where they hold the latch in retracted position.

When the coil 30 is energized, armature I54 12 is pulled downward inFigure 10, and the latch 2! is projected by the connecting rod I62 untileither the armature or the latch reaches the limit of its movement.During this action of the coil 38, the magnetic circuit is completedthrough the soft, iron washer I34, side of housing I25, end plate I51,plug I68 and the armature.

The operation of the complete system is as follows:

It is assumed that the vehicle car doors will be protdded with theordinary locking devices, which can be actuated from the outside or theinside. The present safety system is auxiliary to those looking devices,which it overrides insofar as the locking of the doors is concerned.

When the operator of the vehicle wishes to use a safe condition of hisdoors, he merely steps upon the plunger cap 84 of the controlling switch43. The actuation of this plunger steps the ratchet wheel and rotaryswitch member in a rotary direction one step, during which it passesfrom off-circuit position to another off-circuit position, but duringits motion it momentarily closes a contact through the circuit whichincludes the coils 30.

This causes the armatures of any number of locking units 20 to move thelatching members 2! out into latching position, in which position thelatching members project into the apertures of their keepers 24. Thelatching members do not necessarily engage these sides or edges of theapertures in the keepers, and the abrupt shoulder 24 on the latchingmember 2I need only engage the keeper when someone tries to open thedoor. At other times it is preferably free of the keeper, but interposedinto the keeper aperture. This permits the latch to operate more freelywhile still performing its blocking or locking function.

The operator may have a locking unit on each of his four doors,controlling them all by one switch, or he may have one switch for thetwo front doors and another for the two back doors. The present devicesare simple and foolproof and are sealed against tampering by anyunauthorized persons. The units of the system are dustproof and assuredof constant and adequate lubrication. The locking unit can be installedon the doors if desired, by providing the usual pigtail conductorsextending from door to frame at the hinges.

One of the most important features of the invention lies in the factthat any user is protected against holdup men who now have the practiceof quickly opening the door at a stop light, stepping into the car andtaking a seat beside the driver or some other occupant.

The system also protects the driver in the event of altercations withother drivers who may try to gain access to the occupant of theautomotive vehicle, but are prevented by the present safety system. Thebest thing that anyone can do when engaged in such an altercation withanother driver is to stay inside the vehicle with the doors locked; andwith the present system no one can reach in a window and unlock the doorfrom the inside.

The present safety system also prevents children from unlocking andopening the doors from the inside, and this is of the utmost importanceas many children have fallen out of vehicles while in motion, resultingin severe bodily injury and frequently in concussion and fracture of theskull.

The present devices are also simple and eco- 13 nomical in theirconstruction, and they do not constitute a severe drain on the source ofelectric current with which they are used.

The cover i9 carries all parts contained in the open end of the housingmember 125, including the end wall hi7, the plug 160, the connecting rodHi2, and the armature 15s. To provide a rigid connection between the endwall it? and the cover I19, in addition to that provided by the bracket168, I have shown tubular spacers 2H proportioned in accordance with theheight of the bracket I88 and to receive the rivets 212. The rivets 2|2extend through the end wall 551 and the cover I79 and are upset as at213 to secure the parts in operative relationship.

The assembly of parts and particular construction described, provides aseparate subassembly unit which can be readily inserted in the housingassembly with a minimum amount of labor.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: i

1.. In an electric switch for controlling electric door locks, thecombination of a metal supporting plate with a tubular housing havingintegral tabs passing through apertures in said plate and bent over,said plate having a central aperture, an actuating cap telescoping withsaid housing carried by a plunger passing through said aperture, a. coilspring about said plunger and compressed between said plate and cap, anangle plate having one flange riveted on the end of said plunger, aswitch housing carried by said supporting plate and mounted in slidingengagement with and enclosing the other flange of said 2 '51. plate,said latter flange having a slot for passing a shaft, an insulatingplate carried by said housing at right angles to said supporting piate,spherical headed metal studs carried by said insulating plate to act ascontacts and indexing members, said heads projecting inward intohousing, an insulating rotor disc having a central bore and a pluralityof inner tapered through bores acting as detent sockets on the sphericalheads of said metal studs, said rotor having a plurality of peripheralgrooves, l idging contact on said rotor, comprising a itral disc havinga plurality of radial contact 2.1 ms bent over the edge of said rotorinto U ape in said peripheral grooves, said latter disc having anenlarged aperture, a shaft secured in said housing and projectingthrough said rotor, a ratchet wheel on said shaft adjacent said angleplate flange, and having a plurality of wings turned upwardly at theirleading eds said angle plate having a tab bent out of angle plate flangeto engage the trailing edges of said wings and to slide under theleading edges, means drivably connecting said ratchet 14 wheel and saidrotor, and a helical spring on said shaft urging said ratchet wheelagainst said tab and said rotor against said spherical headed studs.

2. In an electric switch for controlling electric door locks, thecombination of a metal supporting plate with a tubular housing havingintegral tabs passing through apertures in said plate and bent over,said plate having a central aperture, an actuating cap telescoping withsaid housing and carried by a plunger passing through said aperture, acoil spring about said plunger and compressed between said plate andcap, an angle plate having one flange riveted on the end of saidplunger, a switch housing carried by said supporting plate and mountedin sliding engagement with and enclosing the other flange of said angleplate, said latter flange having a slot for passing a shaft, aninsulating plate carried by said housing at right angles to saidsupporting plate, spherical headed metal studs carried by saidinsulating plate to act as contacts and indexing members, said headsprojecting inward into said housing, an insulating rotor disc having acentral bore and a plurality of inner tapered through bores acting asdetent sockets on the spherical heads of said metal studs, said rotorhaving a plurality of peripheral grooves, a bridging contact on saidrotor, comprising a central disc having a plurality of radial contactarms bent over the edge of said rotor into U shape in said peripheralgrooves, said latter disc having an enlarged aperture, a. shaft securedin said housing and projecting through said rotor, a ratchet wheel onsaid shaft adjacent said angle plate flange, and having a plurality ofradial wings turned upwardly at their leading edges, said angle platehaving a tab bent out of said angle plate flange to engage the trailingedges of said wings and to slide under the leading edges, means drivablyconnecting said ratchet wheel and said rotor, and a helical spring onsaid shaft urging said ratchet wheel against said tab and said rotoragainst said spherical headed studs, said means comprising a spiderhaving a base plate slidably mounted on said shaft against said ratchetwheel, to which it is secured, said spider having three axiallyextending flanges engaging slidably in apertures in said rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,629,614 Devereaux May 24, 1927 1,661,352 Young Mar. 8, 19281,909,107 Kelly May 16, 1933 1,995,889 Landry Mar. 26, 1935 2,006,624Block July 2, 1935 2,103,363 Hansen Dec. 28, 1937 2,156,387 GoldflngerMay 2, 1939 2,213,625 Cummings Sept. 3, 1940 2,219,132 Hohmann et a1.Oct. 22, 1940 2,231,387 Jones Feb. 11, 1941 2,283,630 Hill May 19, 19422,298,781 Bluemle Oct. 13, 1942 2,446,855 Seibel Aug. 10, 19482,450,924: Stilwell Oct. 12, 1948 2,496,118 Brown Jan. 31, 1950

